An Easy Way to Curb Foundation Abuses
As lawmakers have been debating how to encourage greater foundation accountability, one simple, low-cost idea that could make a big difference has not gotten much attention. Congress should require donors to contribute at least $1-million if they want to create a foundation. Foundation with assets…
By Emmett D. Carson
Contributor
Philanthropy and Blogs Can Be a Dangerous Mix
LETTERS TO THE EDITORTo the Editor: In Los Angeles, where I live, everyone wants to be a star, but all the buzz from a group of bloggers attacking me for my role as a foundation officer funding campaign finance-reform initiatives would make even Britney Spears’s publicist green with envy. In the…
A Technological Revolution for the Greater Good
For the better part of two centuries, we have relied on Alexis de Tocqueville’s observations to describe the fundamental tendency of Americans to come together for both mutual and public benefit. But philanthropy has been slow to update de Tocqueville’s legacy to a world where eBay reigns. Already,…
By Marcia K. Sharp
Contributor
New Charity Chief Executive Keeps Focus on ‘Family’
James Dobson has long been the famous face -- and the soothing voice -- of Focus on the Family. A child-development specialist, Mr. Dobson founded the Colorado Springs nonprofit organization in 1977 with a weekly radio program that broadcast his views on family and faith to a small but dedicated…
By PETER PANEPENTO
Contributor
Head of Kennedy Center aims to improve skills of arts leadersWashington Michael M. Kaiser often wakes in the middle of the night to leave himself a phone message at work after dreaming up ALSO SEE:Kennedy Center’s Leader Focuses on a Grand Vision and Small DetailsDance Company’s Leader Recounts…
By nicole lewis
Contributor
In a World of Bloggers, Foundations Can Expect More Scrutiny
The news media’s treatment of foundation involvement in public policy may have changed forever on March 17. That was the day the New York Post published “Buying ‘Reform': Media Missed Millionaires’ Scam,” an account by one of its columnists, Ryan Sager, of the massive spending by several mainstream…
By WILLIAM SCHAMBRA
Contributor
Foundations, Wield Your Proxies With Care
Global warming. AIDS. Human rights. Campaign finance. Access to prescription drugs. Sexual bias. Those are all important issues that draw millions of dollars in foundation grants to groups dealing with their many facets. They also happen to be some of the most prominent issues being considered in…
By Conrad MacKerron
Contributor
Shared technology tightens relationships among affiliatesThe Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America had long wanted to bring all of the information about its donors together ALSO SEE:Helping 1 Million Kids: How a Charity Plans to Reach Ambitious GoalTips for Getting Past ‘Us and Them’ Culture for…
By NICOLE WALLACE
Features Editor
George Soros is challenging donors to pick up tab for projectBaltimore “Pure exhilaration.” That was how Joseph T. Jones Jr. says he felt when George Soros offered $10-million ALSO SEE:More about George Soros to continue an innovative experiment to help fight social ills in this city, which has one…
By Michael Anft
Contributor
Readers Object to Advice About Critiquing Résumés
INBOX To the Editor: Please allow me to respectfully voice my strong disagreement with the advice about seeking a résumé critique in your April 20 column. As a certified résumé writer and career-services professional with 12 years of direct experience writing résumés for high-profile clients, and…